At 12:40 p.m., Kentucky State Police received a call that Jessie Kilgus had killed his wife, 46-year-old Ruth Marie Kilgus, and was heading to John Hardin High School to pick up a juvenile student, Trooper Jeff Gregory said at a press conference.

Authorities dispatched the local Hardin County Sheriff's Department, Radcliff Police as well as the Kentucky State Police to John Hardin High School.

Jessie Kilgus was prevented from entering the school because a school resource officer turned him away at the front doors, telling him the school was on lockdown and he couldn't get in, Wright said.

"Everything that has taken place, took place outside of school. There were never any threats inside the building," Gregory said. "No student or staff member was ever in danger. All students and staff were safe, are safe and will be safe."

Officers cornered Jessie Kilgus, 51, outside the school in the parking lot and talked with him for five minutes. But then, Gregory said an altercation occurred which caused several of the officers to open fire on Jessie Kilgus, killing him.

Gregory did not provide further details on what prompted the shooting or if the man shot at officers.